26th APRIL 1998 WOLLONGONG PELAGIC TRIP REPORT
Departed at 7.00 am and returned at 4.00 pm.
<0.5 metre swell rising to 1 metre later, sea calm rising to 3 metres later
Calm early rising to 35-40 knot winds later, from the W
We reached 26 Nautical Miles E of Wollongong
Water temperature 18.8°C inshore up to 19.8° C beyond the shelf.
This trip fell into the doldrums between seasons. The surface water
temperature has fallen significantly during the preceeding weeks reducing
the probability of tropical species being in the area but the colder water
has not really pushed up from the south. Added to this a strong westerly
change passed through the region the preceeding night leading to very low
numbers of birds in the area. Adding severe discomfort to insult another
even stronger westerly change arrived during the morning!!!! The avaian
excitement was restricted to 2 Wilson's Storm-Petrels distracted from
migration by a juicy slick of fish oil, an early Indian Ocean (Bassian)
Yellow-nosed Albatross and a distant view of what was probably a pale morph
Kermadec Petrel. A first in my experience were a number of parties of
Silvereye of the Tasmanian variety (lateralis) even beyond the continental
shelf (never a dull moment at sea!). It was presumed that these birds were
migration parties (by myself at least). Several Striped Marlin enlivened
proceedings (one fish of about 75 kg was tagged and released)and
interesting cetacean sightings were made despite the rough conditions.
THE BIRDS
Indian Ocean (Bassian) Yellow-nosed Albatross 1 ad
Solander's (Providence) Petrel 30 (15) looking fantastic in fresh plumage!!
Flesh-footed Shearwater 50 to 60 (32)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 50 to 60 (46)
Fluttering Shearwater 3 (1)
Short-tailed Shearwater 5 (2)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 2
Australasian Gannet 60+ (46)
Silver Gull 70+ inshore
Kelp Gull 2 adult
Pomarine Skua 15 (4)
Arctic Skua 3 (1)
Long-tailed Skua 2 sub-adult
Crested Tern 5
SILVEREYE (race lateralis) 40+ (9) small groups observed as far as 25NM
from shore flying north!!
Welcome Swallow 2 (5 NM from shore) flying north
Australasian Pelican 11 in the Harbour
Great Cormorant 1 in the Harbour
White-faced Heron 1 (8 NM from shore) numbers observed flying in from
ocean day previously.
16 species of SEABIRDS +3 species of ordinary bird.
MAMMALS
Common Dolphin : several groups over the continental shelf hunting fish, (60+)
Melon-headed Whale: 1 pod of 8 animals over the continental slope
proceeding south
Sei Whale: 2 animals proceeding north at the shelf-break
Sydney Pelagics depart on the 2nd Saturday of each month and Wollongong
Pelagics depart on the 4th Sunday of each month. If you would like to
join one of these trips please contact either Tony Palliser or Pete
Milburn to make a booking.
Tony Palliser Ph; 02-99001678 (w), 02-4277563 (h)
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser
Pete Milburn Ph; 0416-249501 or Wk 02-62494326
Regards
Milburn
Dr.Peter Milburn
Biomolecular Resource Facility
The Australian Nation University
GPO Box 334 Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA
Phone No. <61> <6> 249 4326
Fax No. <61> <6> 249 4326
E-mail Address
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